KCSIE Conference 2026: Safeguarding in Practice

KCSIE 2026 is now published! This conference held at NetSupport's HQ, gives Designated Safeguarding Leads a practical day to work through what the updated guidance means and how to act on it back in school.

The day brings together DSLs, sector partners and leading safeguarding organisations for keynotes, real-world case studies, a practitioner panel and a live compliance session. The focus throughout is on what works in practice, so you leave with guidance you can use straight away. You’ll also have time to connect with peers and partners working on the same challenges.

Key takeaways

• A clear understanding of what KCSIE 2026 means for your school and your role as DSL.

• Sector data from the Internet Watch Foundation on the scale of online harms, and what it tells us about where to focus.

• Real-world case studies showing how risks are identified and acted on.

• A network activity to help with practical steps towards KCSIE 2026 compliance.

• Actions you can take back to your school and apply.

Speakers

Internet Watch Foundation - Thomas Dyson
The IWF works to identify and remove child sexual abuse imagery online and holds some of the clearest data anywhere on the scale of the problem. This keynote covers: Understanding online child sexual abuse today: Trends, risks and what DSLs need to know.

SWGfL - Traci Gregory
As a founding partner of the UK Safer Internet Centre, the SWGfL will share key findings and emerging trends in its session: The current state of online safety

eSafety Adviser - Alan Mackenzie
Alan has worked in online safety since 2007, first as e-safety lead at a local authority and since as an independent specialist working with hundreds of schools across the UK. A CEOP Ambassador known for clear, pragmatic advice without the scaremongering, Alan looks at one of the hardest questions in safeguarding right now: ‘Talk to a trusted adult – what does this mean in 2026?’.

The King's (The Cathedral) School - Andy Baldock
Andy is the Information and Communications Manager at The King's (The Cathedral) School and will bring a technical perspective to staying KCSIE compliant with his session: From policy to practice: A school IT Manager's journey to KCSIE compliance.

Creative Education Trust - Leah Miller
Leah takes up the role of Director of Inclusion at Creative Education Trust in September 2026, bringing deep expertise across data, GDPR and online safety, and a particular focus on where safeguarding meets additional needs. She knows the ground that too often falls between teams. Her session, The Human Element, looks at the people behind the data and what it takes to keep them at the centre of every decision.

Nova Education Trust - Alex Dixon
Alex is Trust Designated Safeguarding Lead at Nova Education Trust, working across schools to set the standard for safeguarding practice and support DSLs on the ground. She brings the practitioner’s view: what actually works day to day, and where the pressure really sits. Her session, Lived Experience, draws on the reality of the role to show what good safeguarding looks like when the pressure is on.

CPOMS
CPOMS joins us as an exhibitor, on hand throughout the day to talk through safeguarding, recording and monitoring with delegates.

Programme

09:00 Registration and coffee
09:25 Welcome
09:30 IWF Keynote: Understanding online child sexual abuse today: Trends, risks and what DSLs need to know
10:00 Leah Miller: The Human Element
10:30 SWGfL – The current state of online safety
11:00 Break
11:20 Alex Dixon: Lived Experience
11:50 Andy Baldock: From policy to practice: A school IT Manager's journey to KCSIE compliance
12:15 Lunch
13:00 KCSIE 2026 Compliance Lab
14:15 Alan Mackenzie: Talk to a trusted adult – what does this mean in 2026?
14:45 Group panel discussion: One Top Tip Takeaway
15:15 Closing notes
15:30 END

The programme is provisional and will be confirmed as sessions are finalised.

Who should attend?

• Designated and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads

• Senior leaders with responsibility for safeguarding

• Pastoral and welfare leads

• Trust and MAT safeguarding leads

• Anyone responsible for keeping children safe online and in school

Good to know

This is a free, in-person event hosted by NetSupport, with free on-site parking, lunch and refreshments provided throughout the day. Places are limited and so we recommend registering early. Please tell us about any dietary requirements when you register.

T&Cs

By registering for this event, you agree to receive marketing communications from NetSupport. You may unsubscribe at any time. By attending and participating in the event, you also consent to NetSupport using content created during activities, as well as any photographs or recordings in which you appear, for marketing and promotional purposes.